Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-19

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] UN chief refers to Cyprus

[02] US concern over Turkish provocative acts

[03] WTO to examine Cyprus trade policies

[04] Cyprus condemns Turkish comments

0930:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN chief refers to Cyprus

Annan also welcomed the appointment of Richard Holbrooke, as US President Bill Clinton's Emissary for Cyprus.

Replying to questions after a speech at the "Heritage Foundation" in the US capital, Annan noted "this year, there is a new element, the desire of Cyprus to join the EU and the fact that they (the parties) and the EU and us (UN) would want to see this issue resolved before they admitted into the Union."

Annan added this might also "give them a new impetus to want to settle" the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the forthcoming direct discussions between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Annan said "we are bringing them into New York to discuss face to face peace, the peace process".

The Secretary-General added that the UN have a group of countries supporting the effort.

Regarding Holbrooke, Annan said he is mentioned as someone "who is going to get involved with a set for peace in Cyprus".

"I think its going to be a wonderful addition", the Secretary-General concluded.

CNA DA/EC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

0940:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US concern over Turkish provocative acts

During his regular press briefing, the Spokesman said the US administration has "spoken with the Turkish government regarding our concern over recent reports of Turkish military and naval activity near Cyprus".

Although Turkey has described to the US that this is a routine naval visit and not a military exercise, Burns said, the US is still "concerned".

The State Department Spokesman said "all countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, including Turkey, have a self interest now, just before the commencement of the UN-sponsored talks on July 9, not to undertake any provocative military initiatives that undermine confidence, that get people excited, that undermine stability in the Eastern Mediterranean".

He added "countries need to be transparent in what they are doing".

Furthermore, Burns expressed the US view that countries such as Turkey need to tell other countries what they intend to do so that other countries can have a reasonable confidence in the actions of that country.

"We have repeated that to the Turkish government", Burns said, adding that he hoped all "countries in that region will take efforts towards peace and not efforts that undermine it".

Nine Turkish war vessels, namely two frigates, two destroyers, two missile boats and three submarines, docked Monday in the ports of Turkish occupied Kyrenia and Famagusta.

Burns made similar statements on Tuesday on the issue, noting that the US was seeking an explanation from the Turkish government.

The government of Cyprus has already made representations to the United Nations over the Turkish naval manoeuvres within Cypriot territorial waters and against violations of Nicosia FIR by Turkish fighters.

CNA DA/EC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:03

[03] WTO to examine Cyprus trade policies

The examination will be based on reports prepared by the Cyprus government and the WTO Secretariat.

The objectives of the WTO are, through regular monitoring, to increase the transparency and understanding of trade policies, to improve the quality of public and intergovernmental debate on the issues, and to enable a multilateral assessment of the effects of policies on the world trading system.

Member governments are encouraged to follow more closely the WTO rules and reviews are conducted on a regular periodic basis.

The four biggest traders, namely the European Union, the United States, Japan and Canada, are examined every two years. The next 16 countries in terms of share of world trade, are reviewed every four years, while the remaining developing countries every six years.

The decision of the WTO to put Cyprus in the first group of developing countries to be examined, is considered by economic sources, as a confirmation of the island's satisfying trade performance.

The WTO is the successor organisation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus condemns Turkish comments

"We condemn strongly these provocative comments. Turkey, which continues to occupy part of the Republic of Cyprus, wants to deal a blow against next month's direct talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides, said here today in a written statement.

He added Turkey's designs aim at "perpetuating the division of Cyprus."

Ecevit, who ordered Turkish troops to invade Cyprus in July 1974 on the pretext of restoring constitutional order, said the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus is very important for Turkey's security.

"These statements are self-evident, they show the real face behind the mask of the so-called peace-maker, which is nothing more than an invader," Christofides said.

Turkey's invasion of Cyprus violated the Treaty of Guarantee and international law and order, the Spokesman pointed out, noting that it has brought suffering and misery to Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike.

"Turkey should know that the sole purpose of the Treaty of Guarantee is the maintenance of the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus, to exclude the Republic's union with any other state and avert its division," Christofides said.

The 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, signed by Greece, Turkey, the UK (as former colonial power) stipulates that the above three states "guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus and also the provisions of the basic articles of its Constitution."

The Treaty also says that the three guarantor powers "undertake to consult together in the event of any breach of the provisions of the Treaty" and notes that "each of the three guaranteeing powers reserves the right to take action with the sole aim of reestablishing the state of affairs established by the present Treaty."

Christofides added "Turkey's invasion and continuing occupation of part of Cyprus has reversed everything and has sent into exile some 60.000 Turkish Cypriots and oppresses the remaining 60.000 through its massive military presence and the influx of Turkish settlers."

Turkish troops have forcibly uprooted some 200.000 Greek Cypriots, making one third of the island's population, from their homes and properties in the northern part of this Eastern Mediterranean island.

CNA AC/MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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